DRY FASTING AND PRAYER - A RAMADAN TRADITION

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Different types of fasting have become popular for mental and physical health. But, there is one kind, known as “Dry Fast”. It is attempted for spiritual clarity among Muslims. For non Muslims, it is extreme type of fasting. Yet, for Muslims, it is a way to connect with God by denying both food and water, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. It is a complete trust fast that was practiced by many prophets. Moses, Jesus, Ezra, Elijah, and Jonah practiced it to please God. Today, in the modern world, it has divided into two main categories by medical science – hard and soft. With hard fast, the faster stays away from water. He can’t even allow water to touch his body. With soft fast, one can wash dishes, take shower, and brush teeth. In Ramadan, Muslims follow soft dry fast directives from the break of dawn to the sunset.

When we study Islam, we realize that dry fasting was not only for Muslims. Other cultures and religions admire and accept as well. For example, in Quran (chapter 2, verse 183), it has been revealed that, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you, in order that you may learn taqwa (piety).” Taqwa is a special quality that keeps Muslim aware of God all the time. It makes them do good deeds and avoid bad deeds for the sake of God. Hadiths confirms this too. The prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, dry fast for the sake of God protects a person from sin and lustful desires. So, for Muslims, it is a lot more than medical fasting. When a believer does something for God, it not only protects him from desires, but also raises him to a very high position of taqwa. It makes him love the God and follow the commandments.
 
There are five salient features of Islamic fast:
 
1 – Waking up before sunrise to prepare for the fast.
2 – Spending the hours of daylight in a complete fast.
3 – Abstain from water, food, sex, and smoking too.
4 – Breaking the fast at sunset.
5 – Be more religious and charitable.
 
According to Imam Al Ghazali, leading figure in the arena of philosophy and Sufism, “When a person fast, it produces a semblance of divine quality of samadiyyah (freedom of want) in him.” He cleanses his soul from impurities. He fortifies the relationship between him and Almighty. That’s why, it is imperative for Muslims. It is one of the five pillars of Islam which are the foundations of the Muslim faith. It is not an option. It is necessary for all the Muslims to perform it and pray. Only children or ill people are not required to perform it.
 
There are some specific Ramadan rituals too:

1. Muslims visit mosques for prayers as often as possible.

 

1. Join fellow Muslims in breaking fast.

 

1. Use resources to feed the homeless and poor.

 

1. Give extra charity, donate money to worthy causes.

 

1. Read Quran at least once with meaning.

 

1. Wake up earlier than usual for pray.

 

1. Remember ALLAH as much as they can.

 

1. Try to mend broken relationships.

 

1. Control anger in all situations.

 

1. Ask ALLAH to forgive them.

 

1. Seek the night of power (laylat al qadr) in the last 10 days.
   

 

1. Offer zakat ul fitr before Eid prayers so that people in need can make use of it.

 

It is all about discipline, doing good deeds, and connecting with faith. Most of us are not aware of the dry fasting benefits. Health conscious people believe that it is more effective than other cleansing methods. The benefits of dry fast make you realize that our body is an amazing creation. It adjusts to extreme conditions & access secret reserves in body too.
 
- Do you know, when you dry fast, the body triples its production of stem cells? This process lasts for several months and a few days practice of it can extend life and youth as well.
 
- Renowned Russian Dr. Filanov is an expert in dry fasting benefits. In his book, “Dry Medical Fasting: Myths and Reality”, he challenged the myths about it. He explained that a wet environment in body is ideal for the production of bacteria. Water shortage, during dry fasting process, is as devastating as fire for them. It kills bacteria and cleans entire body.
 
- The body eliminates toxins in different ways than normal. There are some diet plans that remove toxins of our body from urine, bowels, kidneys, lever, and skin. But, in dry fast, our body eliminates toxins in unexpected ways. It burns the toxins inside each cell of our body.
 
- When you drink too much water, it stores crap and toxins in your fat and damages the kidney function. But, fast protects kidney function and cleans it from toxins in its own ways.
 
- A brief scan of research suggests that dry fast process pushes your body into ketosis state. It burns fat for energy. In other words, it forces the body to get water from the cells.
 
- Struggling with radiation exposure? Dry fasting is a great and proven method of protection from radiation. It heals radiation exposure. T.A. Voistovish, a director of healing and fasting retreats, had great results. He treated victims of nuclear radiation with two-week dry fasting. His methods restored their body functions as cells regenerated in the body.
 
- Our bodies create a mechanism, known as ‘phenomenon of purification’. It gets rid of all the negative content that enters inside our body. No medical fasting can achieve this
 
- Dry fasting and prayer also compels the body to use more energy for repair and healing.
 
- It creates an intimidating environment. Every cell of the body cleans house and sacrifice its sickest cells for survival. Only the healthiest of cells survive in these conditions.

So, embrace dry fasting and prayer. It changes your spiritual life, physical condition, and mental activity. You transform into a new person. Different cultures have used it for thousands of years for purification and cleansing. Especially in Muslim community, it has a religious touch to it. The faith, the connection to God and the love for sacrifice makes it a lot more powerful. Studies confirm that one day of dry fast is better than all other kinds of fasting. It has more health benefits than you can imagine or get through other methods.

LEARN ALL ABOUT FASTING FROM START TO FINISH HERE

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